XFC/Spartan FC vet Cornelius Godfrey killed in motorcycle accident

Godfrey, who turned pro in 2011 and had posted an 8-1 record with six stoppages, reportedly crashed his motorcycle into a guardrail in Columbus, according to nbc4i.com.

According to the report, Godfrey’s wife pinged his cellphone after she hadn’t heard from him in a couple hours. That ultimately led her to the intersection of the crash, where she found motorcycle parts. A police helicopter eventually spotted Godfrey and the bike.

Godfrey, 25, was driving home from a bar located a mile away from the crash scene, according to police.

The West Virginian, a Golden Gloves champion who boxed professionally, ultimately settled on MMA. His biggest opportunity came a year ago after he opened his career with a 6-0 mark and six stoppages. That earned him a spot at XFC 20, though he suffered a decision loss to Shah Bobonis in an AXS TV-televised bout.

As XFC President John Prisco wrote on Facebook: “Cornelious Godfrey, who fought on XFC was killed in a motorcycle accident a few hours ago. Would like to Dedicate tomorrows show in his honor, we will miss you Cornelious, it’s heartbreaking to see people like Cornelious leave us when they had so much life left to live. He left a loving wife and child, RIP Corny.”

After the Babonis loss, Godfrey rebounded with a decision victory over “The Ultimate Fighter 14″ competitor B.J. Ferguson at Spartan FC 17. Most recently, he earned a decision victory over Corey Simmons at UVC 23.

The Latest

The man known for cranking submissions to the point of injury added eye-gouging to his repertoire. But is the controversy of Rousimar Palhares too essential to his bizarre, awful appeal for his employers to take any meaningful action against him?

Ronda Rousey’s statistical greatness has already ventured into uncharted territory – just six fights into her UFC career. Check out all the post-fight facts, including Rousey’s latest achievements, about UFC 190.